HAYS, Kan. – After holding a three-point lead at halftime, Fort Hays State could not hold on in a 71-62 loss to Lindenwood on Saturday (Jan. 28). The Tigers went to 11-8 overall, 5-6 in the MIAA with the loss, while Lindenwood moved to 15-9 overall, 5-7 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State held Lindenwood to just 28 percent shooting from the field in the first half, but countered at 39.3 percent and held just a three-point halftime lead, 28-25. The Lions caught fire midway through the second half, shooting 55.2 percent the rest of the way to finish at 42.6 percent for the game. The Tigers were nearly the same in the second half at 38.7 percent.

A lack of rebounding in the second half proved costly for the Tigers. They held a 20-17 advantage on the boards in the first half, but Lindenwood outhustled them in the category in the second half 21-12.

The Tigers extended their lead to six twice early in the second half, but the Lions went on a 9-0 run to take a three-point lead with 12:48 remaining. It was their first lead since the 7:29 mark of the opening half. The Tigers tied the game three times before gaining the lead back by one at the 6:04 mark. But that was the final time FHSU led as Lindenwood grabbed the lead back on a pair of free-throws soon after and led the final 5:44 of the game. The Lions closed the game on a 10-2 run over the final 3:16.

Hadley Gillum led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points while adding a team-best seven rebounds. Trey O’Neil added 15 and hit four 3-point field goals. Rob Davis had a rough day with a season-low seven points, going just 3-of-10 from the field and 1-of-5 beyond the 3-point line.

Chandler Diekvoss led the Lions in scoring with 19 points, followed by Bakari Triggs with 16 and Zac Haese with 14. Dominique Dobbs had a team-high 12 rebounds.

The Tigers head on the road next week to play at Emporia State Wednesday and Washburn Saturday.